American Idol has changed the lives of many people who wanted to build a careerin music, anyone who wants to be one the show has to audition in front of three judges StevenTyler, Jennifer Lopez, and Randy Jackson. The show has been on television since 2002, the first winner was Kelly Clarkson followed by Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barinno, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks, David Cook, Kris Allen, Lee Dewyze, and Scotty Mccrery. Many of the winners and contestants have gone on to have successful music and film careers. American Idol was nominated for 92 awards, and 34 awards won throughout the show's ten seasons. American Idol has been ranked Number one among Adults 18-49 for the past seven consecutive seasons, currently ranks as the number one television show of the 2010-2011 season. Each week the contestants are mentored by Jimmy Iovine, chairman of the Geffen A&M records, he mentors the finalists each week and lends his expertise; the show is hosted by Ryan Seacrest. America votes each week to determine who gets voted off, the winner is rewarded with a million dollar music contract. The top 12 contestants go on tour throughout the summer they perform in major cities across America.
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American Idol's first winner Kelly Clarkson, released an album that won two Grammy Awards in 2003, before she won American Idol she had many odd jobs to support herself, she has produced three more albums since then. American Idol proves that people can go from an ordinary worker or someone who is struggling financially to a celebrity.
Many of the show's other winners have gone on too produce many albums and film careers, however many of the people that were voted off early have proven that they could become a chart topping artist, or have a film career. Contestant Jennifer Hudson who placed in the top 12 went on to be in an award winning movie Dream Girls in 2005, then in 2008 starred in The Secret Life Of Bees, and released her self titled album. The season three winner Fantasia Barrino dropped out of high school after a sexual assault, and also had a child in her teen years and struggled financially. Even though she struggled she sought to audition for American Idol, after her win she debuted an album which sold over one million copies and went platinum. She went on to be in the broad way production of The Color Purple, and then starred in Life is not a fairytale: The Fantasia Barrino Story, which showed how she overcame sexual abuse, illiteracy, and family problems. The show is going to continue to impact peoples lives by giving them a chance to share their talents with America again this January when Season12 airs on television.





http://www.americanidol.com/about
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0319931/
http://www.biography.com/people/jennifer-hudson-507747
http://www.biography.com/people/kelly-clarkson-9542602
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1568881/